BizBeat Archives - Fredericksburg Free Press

Biz Beat Clips: Graze Craze

by Bill Freehling | Mar 9, 2026 | BizBeat, BizBeat Video

This week we take you to the new Graze Craze location in Central Park, which offers charcuterie boards for a variety of occasions.

Biz Beat Roundup: Popular franchise opens in downtown Fredericksburg

by Bill Freehling | Mar 4, 2026 | BizBeat

Also inside: Big-box space again available in Central Park, executive chef named for downtown eatery, restaurant closes at Spotsylvania Towne Centre

Biz Beat Banter: Fitzhugh Johnson

by Bill Freehling | Mar 3, 2026 | BizBeat, BizBeat Banter, Podcasts

This week, Bill talks to local commercial real estate professional Fitzhugh Johnson about how he has overcome some personal struggles to emerge as a bright star in the local real estate scene.

Biz Beat Clips: Biscuit Batch

by Bill Freehling | Mar 2, 2026 | BizBeat, BizBeat Video

This week on Biz Beat Clips we take you to Biscuit Batch in Spotsylvania County, a restaurant serving “biscuits the size of your fist and fresh jams.”

Biz Beat Roundup: Harris Teeter poised to enter Stafford County

by Bill Freehling | Feb 18, 2026 | BizBeat

Also inside: Local private school planning new campus, permit approved for Princess Anne Street project, radio station sale draws near

Biz Beat Banter: Fredericksburg medical school?

by Bill Freehling | Feb 16, 2026 | BizBeat, BizBeat Banter, Podcasts

This week, Bill sits down with University of Mary Washington President Troy Paino and Mary Washington Healthcare President and CEO Chris Newman to discuss the possibility of a Fredericksburg medical school.

Biz Beat Clips: Silly Goose Imagination Village

by Bill Freehling | Feb 16, 2026 | BizBeat, BizBeat Video

This week on Biz Beat Clips we take you Silly Goose Imagination Village in North Stafford, “a place where kids get lost in their imaginations.”

Biz Beat Roundup: Residential development proposed off Plank Road

by Bill Freehling | Feb 11, 2026 | BizBeat

Also inside: FRA names new president, rezoning submitted for Stafford restaurant, beloved ice cream shop re-opening

Biz Beat Banter: Bill Howell

by Bill Freehling | Feb 10, 2026 | BizBeat, BizBeat Banter, Podcasts

This week, Bill sits down with longtime Virginia Speaker of the House and Stafford County resident Bill Howell on how he got into politics, his time in office and how things have changed since he left governance.

Biz Beat Clips: Black Horse Forge

by Bill Freehling | Feb 9, 2026 | BizBeat, BizBeat Video

This week on Biz Beat Clips we take you Black Horse Forge in Stafford County, a non-profit that instructs veterans, active-duty military, first responders and their supporters in the art and craft of blacksmithing.

Biz Beat Roundup: High-end grocer eyeing North Stafford?

by Bill Freehling | Feb 4, 2026 | BizBeat

Also inside: Former United Way building sold, popular downtown shop plans to open soon, data center activity detailed

Biz Beat Banter: Charles G. ‘Charlie’ McDaniel

by Bill Freehling | Feb 3, 2026 | BizBeat, BizBeat Banter, Podcasts

This week, Bill sits down with Hilldrup Chairman Emeritus and longtime community leader Charles G. “Charlie” McDaniel to discuss business, life in one of the most-historic homes in the City of Fredericksburg, and civic service.

Biz Beat Clips: Teaching kids to be ninjas in North Stafford

by Bill Freehling | Feb 2, 2026 | BizBeat, BizBeat Video

This week on Biz Beat Clips we take you to the youth-oriented USA Ninja Challenge in North Stafford.

Biz Beat Roundup: Restaurant Row getting new eateries

by Bill Freehling | Jan 28, 2026 | BizBeat

Also inside: Falmouth property getting new life, Spotsylvania Towne Centre business gets new name, incentives approved for two national eateries in Stafford

Biz Beat Banter: Danilo Orofino’s journey from Sicily to Fredericksburg

by Bill Freehling | Jan 27, 2026 | BizBeat, BizBeat Banter, Podcasts

This week, Bill sits down with Orofino restaurant owner Danilo Orofino to discuss his journey from Sicily to Fredericksburg and the stops along the way.

Biz Beat Clips: Smugglers Cafe aims to bring Disney-esque experience to Fredericksburg

by Bill Freehling | Jan 26, 2026 | BizBeat, BizBeat Video

This week on Biz Beat Clips we take you to Smugglers Cafe in downtown Fredericksburg, which offers “bold brews,” “Cosmic cookies” and an experience “for intergalactic travelers.”

Biz Beat Roundup: Trader Joe’s confirms plans for local store

by Bill Freehling | Jan 21, 2026 | BizBeat

Also inside: Chipotle drive-through requested, real estate firm getting new digs, new tenant for former bank branch

Biz Beat Banter: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions

by Bill Freehling | Jan 19, 2026 | BizBeat, BizBeat Banter, Podcasts

On this week’s episode, Bill sits down with Brian Shanle and Jeff Oliveri, respectively the general manager and assistant general manager of Kalahari Resorts & Conventions’ new Spotsylvania County resort.